A perfect game in baseball is an absolute: 27 batters, 27 outs. Period. But a no-hitter is a relative thing. Some are better than others.

Cincinnati’s Jim Maloney in 1965 walked 10 batters in a 10-inning no-hitter against the Cubs. In 1990, Andy Hawkins walked five and struck out just three — and his Yankees’ LOST the game 4-0 after he no-hit the White Sox.

Clayton Kershaw’s no-hitter Wednesday in the Dodgers’ 8-0 win over the Rockies was as perfect as a no-hitter can be without being “perfect.” Hanley Ramirez’s throwing error in the seventh inning, trying get out Drew Stubbs, was the only blemish.

This is a good lesson: “Perfect games” perhaps say more about a team than a pitcher. And to properly put Kershaw’s dominating performance in context, we can look at the numbers behind his pitches.

So, how good was Dodgers lefty Clayton Kershaw Wednesday night as he no-hit the Rockies? Check out this stat from the Elias Sports Bureau: Kershaw is the first player ever in the history of Major League Baseball with 15 strikeouts without allowing either a hit or walk.

Also, according to Elias, of Kershaw’s career-high 15 strikeouts, 14 came on breaking balls. The 14 strikeouts on breaking balls are the most in a single start since pitch types were first started being tracked in 2009.

You can check out the reaction of Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki in the above video.

Franklin Morales, the Rockies’ stop-gap starter at the back of their rotation, for the second time this season out-dueled Giants ace Madison Bumgarner. His six innings of work yielded three runs and six strike outs against just one walk. Morales’ was an identical line with Bumgarner’s, except his five hits allowed were three fewer.

Former St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa is now in charge of baseball operations for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Dilip Vishwanat, Getty Images)

Stuck in the National League West basement with a 16-28 record and already 11 1/2 games out of first place, the Arizona Diamondbacks needed a shakeup.

They got it Saturday when they named Tony La Russa, the four-time manager of the year, as their new Chief Baseball Officer.

Rockies manager Walt Weiss said he had inkling that La Russa would get back into the daily business of baseball, he just wishes his good friend hadn’t picked the Diamondbacks.

“I can’t say I’m surprised, but I wish it wasn’t in our division with another club,” Weiss said Saturday afternoon before the Rockies hosted the Padres. “The Diamondbacks just got a heck of a lot better with him being there.

“I know Tony and how competitive he is. The toughest thing for him was not being involved on a daily bases with wins and losses on the line everyday. He’s been craving that, and it’s great to see him back in the game. The game will be better for it. But like I said, I’m not thrilled that he’s working in the NL West.”

SAN FRANCISCO — At no time during his his Rockies career has Tyler Chatwood thrown this well. From teammmates to catchers to the athletic trainer, all believe the right-hander has more life on his 95-mph fastball than ever.

It is what made his left hamstring injury difficult to stomach, and why the third-year pitcher is anxious to make his debut on Sunday against the Giants.

“It’s frustrating when you watch your teammates put in on the line and you aren’t out there to help them,” Chatwood said.

He admitted that in the past he might be prone to trying to do too much, too fast. However, Chatwood believes he’s ready to contribute, citing his health (his elbow has been a non-issue after having bone chips removed last winter) and an improved changeup.

Tyler Chatwood (Getty Images file)

“I am throwing it more and have more confidence in it,” Chatwood said.

While the Rockies have been abysmal at AT&T Park, Chatwood has not. He owns a 1.80 ERA in three starts here. His career 1.88 ERA against the Giants is third best among active pitchers with at least four starts. The Rockies must make a roster move to reinstate Chatwood. It’s possible they will go to seven relievers, sending out Chad Bettis, who has options. Or with Josh Rutledge performing well, the Rockies could send Charlie Culberson to Triple-A to get at-bats.

De La Rosa’s struggles
Jorge De La Rosa wasn’t available to the press after Friday’s outing, an indication of his disappointment with his start. The numbers are ugly: 4 1/3 innings in three consecutive outings and a 9.69 ERA. Manager Walt Weiss said more is less with De La Rosa. He believes the left-hander is overthrowing with runners on base, leading to missed location, walks and trouble in general. He wants to see De La Rosa trust his stuff more and pitch to contact when possible.

“I don’t think it’s a lack focus. … With runners on base, he’s starts to redline,” Weiss said. “He has to be able to reel it back in.”

SAN FRANCISCO — Troy Tulowitzki mimicked his swing and jogged the bases early Friday afternoon. There was improvement, but still tightness in his right quadriceps. As a result, he is not starting against the Giants, missing his second straight game.

“It feels much better. They asked and I said I feel a little something. They want to be cautious,” Tulowitzki said. “I expect to be out there on Saturday.”

Rockies second baseman DJ LaMahieu slides into home, scoring from first on a Carlos’ Gonzalez’s single in the Rockies’ win over the Diamondbacks Saturday night. (Karl Gehring, The Denver Post)

The Rockies want to “overwhelm” teams that come into Coors Field. Those aren’t my words, they came off the lips of manager Walt Weiss and second baseman DJ LeMahieu Saturday night after the Rockies rallied from a 4-0 deficit to beat the Diamondbacks 9-5.

Yes, it’s a long season and the Rockies are just 3-3, but the victory showed me a few things, mostly good:

The players are buying into Weiss’ aggressive style of offensive baseball.

MIAMI, FLA. — Now for something completely different. There is actually good news regarding Rockies pitchers. Reliever Boone Logan (elbow) threw 21 pitches without issue Monday and is tentatively scheduled to begin a two-day Triple-A rehab assignment on Wednesday. The plan is to activate him for the weekend series against the Diamondbacks.

Jhoulys Chacin (shoulder) faced hitters for the first time since his shoulder acted up in February. He threw 25 pitches, and remains on schedule to return to the Rockies’ rotation in early May.

Logan’s absence opened a roster spot for Rule 5 pickup Tommy Kahlne. The Rockies will have to make a decision with either their bullpen or bench when Logan returns.

Chacin’s absence moved Juan Nicasio to the fourth spot in the rotation and left Franklin Morales as the fifth starter. Morales is scheduled to face the Diamondbacks in the home opener.

MIAMI — With Jhoulys Chacin out for a month, the Rockies are proceeding cautiously with Tyler Chatwood. As I wrote Monday, Chatwood will not start on Wednesday. The club announced that Jordan Lyles will take his turn against the Marlins.

Manager Walt Weiss said Monday that Chatwood will go on the disabled list. The issue is running the bases and covering first on a groundball. Chatwood felt discomfort on Sunday when his cleats dug into the dirt. The tentative plan is for Chatwood to throw an aggressive 65-pitch simulated game or side session on Wednesday, then make one rehab start before possibly returning to the rotation on April 12 in San Francisco.

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. — Eddie Butler and Jon Gray weren’t making the Rockies team out of spring. This was the plan from the end of last season, a reflection of their limited minor league innings.

But they made the Rockies’ decision interesting, maximizing their monthlong stay with ability and maturity that suggests it won’t be long before they return to the bigs. Both were sent down on Saturday and will resume pitching on regular rest in minor-league camp.

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. — Boone Logan stepped on the mound around 10 a.m. for a test that would go a long way in determining whether he makes the opening day roster. Facing hitters for the first time this spring following the removal of elbow bone chips, Logan threw 20 pitches without any issues on Field 2.

MESA, ARIZ. — Nolan Arenado worked on his swing even when he wasn’t swinging. He had Troy Tulowitzki analyze video this winter. He studied his at-bats, and realized that he has to stop getting himself out outside the strike zone. It’s only spring training, but he’s seen encouraging results.

Arenado is batting .455 after finishing a double shy of the cycle in the Rockies’ 13-0 victory over the Cubs. Adding power is a goal, and he added a home run Tuesday following a pair of doubles on Monday. Arenado, the first rookie Gold Glove winner at third base last season, hit 10 home runs a year ago. He was hardly alone in his damage against the Cubs.

LaTroy Hawkins vividly remembers when center fielder Willy Taveras ran down Tony Clark’s line drive to help the Rockies win Game 2 of the 2007 National League Championship Series. (David Zalubowski, The Associated Press)

LaTroy Hawkins has socks older than some of the Rockies’ prospects. He began his career before interleague play. He has memories, plenty of them. I was interviewing him Tuesday for another story I am working on, and he provided a reminder of why baseball is a great game.

The subject was the Rockies’ 2007 World Series team. Hawkins discussed the run, then his eyes widened as he reached a moment in the National League Championship Series.

Barry Bonds is back. And he wasn’t bitter or combative, admitting at one point that he wished he had cultivated a better relationship with the media during his career. Bonds returns to baseball for the first time since he retired in 2007 — his final 762nd home run was hit off Ubaldo Jimenez at Coors Field –as a guest hitting instructor.

He revealed that working with former Rockie Dexter Fowler last winter at the behest of Colorado Springs Triple-A manager Glenallen Hill helped convince him to return when the Giants invited him.

Speaking with the media for the first time since he retired, Bonds addressed a number of topics, but steered clear of Alex Rodriguez and Biogenesis. Asked if he if he belongs in the Hall of Fame, Bonds replied, “Without a doubt.”

Rockies starter Christian Friedrich made his spring debut on Monday. He recorded five outs, three by strikeout, and allowed one run. More importantly, his back responded well, and he’s on track to pitch Saturday against Oakland. (Jeff Chiu, The Associated Press)

Franklin Morales, Take 2, wants to revisit his first job with the Rockies. He told the team when he was reacquired from Boston in December that he wanted to start. He pitched in winter ball to realize that goal. Wednesday, he took a small step toward winning the fifth spot in the rotation.

He struck out out five Rangers in three innings. The left-hander showed off an interesting weapon against right-handers: a cut fastball. While Morales’ fastball command was a little off, the cutter was the equalizer, getting in on the hands of righties. Morales didn’t have that pitch as a kid in the Rockies’ farm system or even in 2007 when he helped Colorado reach the playoffs.

Nick Masset returned to Rockies camp following the birth of his second daughter, Nicolette, following his wife’s 18-hour labor. Masset, who is attempting to make the bullpen, was relieved and overjoyed.

“It was a miracle. I was so glad I was there for it. You can’t plan out of a lot of things in this game,” Masset said. “The Rockies were great. It worked out well.”

During his four days in Tampa, Fla., Masset found time to sneak in a few workouts with his agent. He played catch multiple times and is scheduled to appear in his first spring game on Thursday. He hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since 2011, and miss all of last year with a shoulder injury.

“I have a great opportunity here to show that I am healthy,” Masset said. “I have had some bumps in the road on my way back, but I have zero pain. And that’s the good part.”

Chacin to throw
Jhoulys Chacin will begin playing catch on Thursday 11 days after he was shut down because of inflammation in his right shoulder. He detailed his offseason timeline on Wednesday, explaining why he wasn’t ready to throw off the mound when he arrived in camp. Chacin said he thought he had biceps tendonitis when he was in the Dominican Republic mini-camp prior to spring training. He was able to long toss, but decided not to pitch side sessions. It has gone away in the past, he said, so he figured he would be ready when he reported for spring training. It never improved, leading to the MRI, which showed no structural damage. Rehab strength work with bands and medicine balls has left him optimistic.

“I want to get off a mound soon. But I have to be patient,” Chacin said.

Colorado Rockies pitcher Jhoulys Chacin will begin throwing this week for this first time since his shoulder injury. (Denver Post file).

SCOTTSDALE — Jhoulys Chacin continues to make progress with his shoulder injury, and plans to begin playing catch in “2-3 days,” he told The Post on Monday. He hasn’t thrown in nine days, but is pleased with how his shoulder feels following rest and stretching exercises.

Rockies right-hander Jhoulys Chacin could miss as many as three starts with right shoulder inflammation. If he does, the Rockies’ April will be tough. (Associated Press file photo)

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. — It’s kind of tough to remember now, what with their 74-88 last-place finish, but the Rockies opened the 2013 season with promise. They had an eight-game winning streak (their longest of the season) in April, and finished the month with a 16-10 record.

They were in first place in the National League West as late as May 7 before injuries, lack of depth, a crumbling bullpen and reality sunk them to the bottom of the NL West.

So we all know that spring optimism can be fleeting and misleading. Still, to borrow a favorite word from former Rockies manager Jim Tracy, it would behoove the Rockies to get off to a fast start, build some confidence and create some team chemistry.

Patrick, a third-generation Colorado native, is back for his second stint covering the Rockies. He first covered the team from 2005-2009, helping chronicle “Rocktober” in 2007 and also following the team’s playoff run in 2009.

Nick Groke has worked at The Denver Post since 1997, as a sports reporter, city reporter, entertainment writer and digital editor and producer, among other newsroom posts. He also writes regularly about boxing, soccer, MMA and NASCAR.